Centrifugal separator



Oct. 26, 1948.

my. i1.

B. S. HUGHES CENTRIFUGAL SEPARATOR Filed March 2l. 1946 A Z2# WU@ uw* 744 `4 if', i j,

Z5 2'0 f4" i@ 22) Patented ct. 26, 1948 CENTRIFUGAL SEPARATOR Burton S. Hughes, Buffalo, N. Y., assgnor to Zaremba Company, Buffalo, N. Y., a corporation of Maine Application March 21, 1946, Serial No. 656,001

(Cl. 18S-79) 1 Claim. 1

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in the centrifugal separators employed in connection with condensers, evaporators and like apparatus.

It has for one of its objects to provide a separator of this character which is so designed as to avoid re-entrainment of the liquor thrown out by centrifugal force and thereby materially enhance the eiiiciency of the separator.

Another object of the invention is to provide a centrifugal separator having a simple and effective drain valve structure which is so constructed as to prevent vapor passing up into the separator but which permits liquor to flow or drain out.

A further object is to provide the drain opening of the separator with a protective box or shield which functions to eifectually prevent the high velocity vapor flow from interfering with the entrance of the liquor to the drain.

Other features of the invention reside in the construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and particularly pointed out in the appended claim.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a vertical section of a centrifugal separator embodying my improvements. Figure 2 is a horizontal section thereof taken on line 2 2, Figure 1. Figures 3 and 4 are enlarged fragmentary, vertical section taken in the correspondingly numbered lines in Figure 2.

Similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

By way of example, my invention has been shown in connection with a centrifugal separator of usual construction, I indicating the cylindrical body thereof which may constitute the top of the evaporator in connection with which it is used and which is provided in one side thereof and adjacent its upper end with a vapor discharge pipe I I. Disposed concentrically within this body in spaced relation thereto is a substantially circular Well or partition I2 which extends at its upper end to the head of the separator body while its lower end terminates in an outwardlyextending annular flange I3 secured to the side of such body. The resulting inner chamber III formed by this partition communicates with the evaporator while the outer or separating chamber I5 thereof communicates with the vapor discharge pipe, the partition terminating at one side of the latter in a radially-disposed, upright flange or closure wall I6 and having a port I'I therein adjoining such flange for the passage of the vapor into the separating chamber, whereby the fluid being treated flows circumferentially through such chamber, as indicated by the arrows in Figure 2.

The vapor discharge pipe Il extends radially into the separating chamber I5 where it terminates in an outwardly-flared section or intake mouth I3 which functions to avoid re-entrainment of liquor thrown out by centrifugal force, and thereby effectually eliminates loss of liquor by preventing its being carried out with the current of vapor through the discharge pipe.

The partition iiange I3 constitutes the bottom wall of the centrifugal chamber I5 and depending therefrom is a plurality of drain pipes I9 through which the liquor is adapted to flow by gravity toward the central portion of the separator and thence into the evaporator. Applied to the lower or discharge end of each drain pipe is a vertically-swinging valve 20, preferably in the form of a hinged flap or clapper, pivoted on a horizontal pintle 2| mounted on a bracket 22 secured to the top side of the drain pipe. The discharge end of the latter has its valve-engaging edge inclined to the vertical whereby the valve is normally retained by gravity in its closed position, but is free to open in response to the flow of liquor therethrough. While permitting the discharge of the liquor in this manner, the valve effectually prevents the passage of vapor upwardly into the separator.

Each of the openings in the partition-flange I3 leading to the drain pipes I9 is covered with a protective box or shield 23 of substantially rectanglar shape in plan whose top wall is disposed in overhanging relation to the opening and is provided at three of its edges with depending flanges or side walls 24. The remaining side of the shield is open, as indicated at 25, and faces or opens toward the direction of flow of the liquor in the separating chamber I5. This protective shield serves to prevent the high velocity vapor flow from interfering with the entrance of liquor to the drain pipes.

While manifestly simple, compact and inexpensive in construction and easy to install, these improvements greatly enhance the efciency of the separator by preventing re-entrainmentl of liquor thrown out by centrifugal force, by preventing vapor passing upwardly into the separator, and by preventing the high velocity vapor flow from interfering with the entrance of liquor to the drains.

I claim as my invention:

A separator of the character described, comprising a cylindrical body having a concentricallyshaped circular partition therein terminating at its lower end in an annular flange abutting said body and defining inner and outer communicating chambers with the outer chamber closed at its top and bottom and constituting a centrifugal separating chamber, said partition having a port therein for establishing communication between such chambers and aradial closurewallextending across the outer' chamber at one side of said port; a vapor discharge pipe communicating with said separating chamber adjacent the opposite side' of said radial closure Wall and extending paid; Way,

into the same and having an outwardIy-ared intake mouth, a drain pipe leading: from the bottom of the separating chamber' and provided at its lower end with a vertically-swinging valve for permitting liquid to oW-therefrom butA pref REFERENGES CITED' The following references are of' record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 6191207" Musnicki Feb. 7, 1899 86.9;680 Aitken et a1 Oct. 29, 1907 1,120,691 Conklin Dec. 15, 1914 1,;'72;536-Y Young.v July 9, 1929 

